U21 snooker champion picks up B Grade trophy as well

On Sunday night, Mikey Stewart was crowned the winner of the New Zealand B Grade Snooker Championships.
Stewart, of Hawke’s Bay, beat Peter Lesslie, of Wellington, 3-2 in the final, with the final match coming down to the black ball.
The two players also shared the honour of the highest break in the B Grade Championships, as they both got a break of 57.
New Zealand Billiards and Snooker Association secretary Dan O’Sullivan spoke highly of Stewart, who is still under 21.
Stewart also picked up the New Zealand under-21 championships trophy earlier in the year.
‘‘I have been around the role for a long time and it is the first time I remember someone winning both championships,’’ O’Sullivan said.
He expected the young player to go well in the top tier after getting some practice in the B Grade tournament.
‘‘He should qualify from section play,’’ he said.
Stewart will also be part of a team heading to Belgium with O’Sullivan in August this year.
He will compete as a New Zealand under-21 representative in the world under-21 competition in Mol.
Tristan Matheson (16), of Riversdale, also impressed many with a good run leading to a runner-up place in the plate final.
In the final, he lost to more experienced snooker player Allistair Kapo, of Dunedin, 2-1.